What North Texas Property Owners Need To Know About Termite Swarmers

Based on context alone, "termite swarmers" sound like a nuisance. However, taking the time and opportunity to learn more about termite swarms can put you in a powerful position to best protect your home from a new colony seeking refuge on your property. Learn more about what they are, how to determine if there's an infestation, and what factors attract termite swarmers to your property. For pest control in North Texas, we have the knowledge, experience, and tools to remove termites and protect your home all year round.

What Are Termite Swarmers?

Termite swarmers are reproductive termites beginning to start a new colony after hiding underground or inside trees for the winter. Once their numbers reach an adequate size, they expand their nest to forage for food and moisture. A nest always has a king and queen, but the queen is the most vital and largest member. Once she reaches maturity, she can lay thousands of eggs, or larvae, to replenish the colony of workers, swarmers, and soldiers. Termite larvae start creamy white and darken to brown or black as they mature.

Termite swarms occur in the early spring, but in warmer climates, they can happen once during the winter. Male and female swarmers mate and break off their wings to signal the start of a new colony, as king and queen. Discarded wings on windowsills are a good indicator of termite activity on your property. If you suspect that these North Texas pests have begun swarming your property in search of prime nesting spots, contact a termite specialist near you.

Flying Termites Don't Necessarily Mean An Infestation

Flying termites are a good sign that they have yet to find a mate. During winter, swarmers tuck their wings under their abdomens when not in use. When temperatures rise above 70 degrees, termite swarmers emerge to find mates and begin new colonies. A female termite releases a pheromone that attracts the male. Once they've mated, they break off their wings and begin laying eggs. In the new queen termite's first year, she lays about 22 eggs. After that, she lays anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 eggs per year. Over the years, the colony grows, reaching maturity at 60,000 to more than a million members.

There's a small window when a termite situation can be handled swiftly with minimal damage to your home before the infestation takes off and leaves you in the dust. Picking up on those signs is challenging, making that window less clear. Contact a pest control company specializing in termite solutions to remove added stress from your life.

Factors That Attract Termites To Homes And How To Remove Them

Termites in North Texas prefer wooded structures for two reasons: the first is due to their saw-like jaws being able to chew and digest wood. The second is because few other insects can do this, meaning there's plenty of food for termites to thrive. However, wood isn't the only thing termites can eat. The linings of their digestive organs consist of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa that require cellulose from wood and plants to release nutrients to the termite.

Some common factors attracting termites to your North Texas home include:  

• Moisture: Repair leaky pipes and clear debris from gutters for rainfall.
• Mulch: Replace mulch with rocks around gardens and trees.
• Firewood: Store firewood off the ground and away from wooden structures.
• Dead/decaying trees: Remove dead trees, stumps, and other debris from your property.  

Moisture is key to a termite's survival. They won't inhabit an area without a nearby water source to draw from. Remove excess moisture from your home and contact a professional North Texas pest control company for termite removal.

Call The Pros For The Best Termite Control And Protection

Communities and cities depend on the trusted expertise of Shoop's Texas Termite & Pest Control for quality residential pest control services in North Texas that bring your home back to you. You won't find the answer to your problem with DIY tips from websites or store-bought products that are harmful to you or the environment. Don't make the mistake of waiting too long by figuring out how to solve the problem alone. You can partner with Shoop's Texas Termite & Pest Control for pest control that is safe, effective, and affordable. Contact us and get started with a free estimate and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in North Texas.